folk / folk-rock

The 'Folk' category is vast (our main home database offers over 20,000 titles available worldwide) and it's a world encompassing hundreds of years of music. The genre has become even more popular now, due in no small way to BBC Radio 2's popular hour-long Mike Harding show that airs every Wednesday evening, plus, as always the activities of another Radio 2 DJ Bob Harris are never far away when the more contemporary artists in the genre are concerned. We do like a bit of 'Folk' here at CD Services - especially the Singer / Songwriter variety - but we are not experts in the more traditional elements of the genre. The core of this department is primarily made up of more 'Folk-Rock'based material and the work of contemporary singer / songwriters that reflect our personal preferences and those of our regular clients in this category of music. We share a love of: Enya, Bridget St John, the late Sandy Dennyand other similar female singer / songwriters, plus class acts such as Roy Harper, Iain Matthews and the late, truly great Nick Drake. We happily champion groups like: Magna Carta, Plainsong, Steeleye Span and true stalwarts of the genre Fairport Convention, a band that continue to tour and release top quality albums to this day. Then there's the more happening "crossover" bands such as: Bellowhead, Blackmore's Knight, Celtus and Kingfisher Sky, as well as international acts like Artesia that are from the more ethereal side of the category, plus the delights and joys of Capercaillie, Clannad and Iona are never far away, as is the heavier side of the category with Celtic rockers like Wolfstone. However, when it comes to the vast range of acoustic traditional 'Folk', we confess to leaving that to the real experts - our customers! Over our 25 years in the music by mail business has brought us our fair share of true traditional 'Folk' fans that have discovered we could source and supply virtually anything they wanted for them. The knowledge of those customers had widened the scope of what we are going to feature in the online store, creating a department that will gradually be populated by a variety of recordings that have been selected and purchased from us in the past by our regular patrons of the genre. In the future we will monitor which artists and bands have the widest appeal and gradually expand the department by integrating more and more of these 'traditional' titles from our home database in this online department.

As in most of the CDS Online Store departments you will find a selection of titles not only on CD, but DVD, Blu-rayand HQ Vinyl LP formats as well! A high percentage of the titles on display may just offer basic database details, but over time we will be adding more Images, Reviews and other details from our vast catalogue archive to many of these entries. Selected items already come with Cover Art Images, General Info on the Artist / Title and Track Lists & Timings, plus certain titles will have a Review added. Our reviews are known for giving factual information and honest, direct opinions. Describing the music as we hear it, our reviews mix accuracy with enthusiasm, and where appropriate, include a certain level of humour to add entertainment value to the experience. However, in the case of traditional 'Folk' titles, these reviews are more likely to be sourced from a customer review or one written by a music journalist specialising in that category of music, in which case the reviewer will be credited. Also, wherever possible we try to provide a window into You-Tube (and similar sites) where samples of the music are available to listen to.

As well as standard A-Z browsing, this department also contains (when they are available) 'Features' on certain individual Artists & Bands, complete Label Catalogues, Top Sellers and Classics From The Past - These extend the range of choice by highlighting the repertoire of individual artists and labels that we are recommending and can be accessed from the department's sub-menus on the left of your screen. The Store also has sections containing: New Releases, Special Offers, Bargain Basement and Rarities from this genre of music - These are grouped together and accessed from buttons in the store's homepage and at the top of most department pages.

This online department will always be a "work in progress" and will constantly be growing and evolving over time. On a daily basis we will be fine-tuning the existing data, adding new products, and integrating the vast range of material we have accumulated "off-line" over the past twenty-five years. If you don't find what you are looking for right now - PLEASE ASK ABOUT IT - It may simply be down awaiting updates, and we may be able to "fast-track" these for you. The more traditional 'Folk' titles are usually ordered on demand, so our Product Request Form is the perfect tool to use for this.

While we do endeavour to maintain an accurate database, it is not possible for us to keep absolutely everything up-to-date for all of the time, and as such, certain inaccuracies and errors can occur. Please always treat any data we publish as a guideline, and if there is any doubt about the validity of what you read, or you need further clarification of any item details, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will do our very best to help you.